Off the Ice (The Penalty Kill Trilogy) (Volume 2) (9 page)

“May I ask a question?”

They both nod.

“Why did you divorce? Why did you separate us?”

“
I can answer that.” Mom pats Dad’s hand. “It’s my fault. My damn independence and goals that I had for my career got in the way of my obligations at home. We decided to send Trevor with your dad because he needed that guidance. You didn’t. That is the reason why I wanted you to stay with me. I was selfish. I’m thankful that your dad and I have talked and we are working on our relationship.”

“
What made you tell me this story?” I wipe the tears from my eyes.

“
That night when we all were here with Victor, he seemed to know more about you than we did and we knew then that something needed to change.” My mother’s voice is sad, and my dad keeps his head down.

Again, we sit there in silence. I can’t help the feeling of being loved by my parents. We’ve all made our mistakes, but they love me, and they are proud of me. I get up, as do my parents, and we hug. It’s an amazing feeling.

“I think Levi needs to be a family coach,” I say as we all laugh.

“
I think you deserve this.” Mom pulls the card from behind her back.

I open it and it says:

Hopefully, that went as planned. If they were mean to you, I'll kick their asses.

I love your personality.

I love your loyalty to those you care about.

I love that you speak your mind.

I love that you care about so much.

The list will never end. It's always set on 'to be continued' because you never cease to amaze me with how wonderful you are. Your final card is where today's journey started.

Forever yours,

Levi

I quickly hug my mom and dad again, and head back out to the valet. Once I’m in the car, I was thinking about my day. Every part of the journey was with someone I loved, and now I’m going to the one that I love the most. Never has anyone made me feel so special. My heart is pounding as I pull into my parking lot. I grab my box that has my jersey in it, and head up my stairs. I open my door to see Levi standing in the middle of my living room. His sexy smirk makes my knees weak.

We don’t say anything, even though I want to leap into his arms and never let him go. In his hands is my last card. I walk all the way in, sit my box on the couch, and reach for the card. I open it and begin to read his beautiful words.

Levi

I love how I am with you.

I love that you love me. Down to the every perfectly hard muscle. ;)

I love you with everything that I am and I mean it every time I say it.

I love that you were the one to change everything for me. You were exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. Meeting you, learning about you, and knowing you changed me. That's the kind of person you are, Smarty. You change the lives of those around you, just by being in it and being you.

Because of you, I am the man standing before you today. Because of you and what I learned from you, my parents are proud of me. Because of you, I'm happier than I've ever been.

I'd do anything for you, Presley. Anything.

My love for you will live forever.

Forever yours,

Levi

My eyes are trained on Presley. Her hands are trembling as she holds the card in her hand, but she hasn't looked at me yet and it's been two minutes since she opened the card. Why hasn't she said anything yet? Does she hate it? Does she hate everything? Why hasn't she looked at me?

“
Presley,” I say softly, tentatively.

Suddenly, she jumps into my arms, hugging me tightly with her face buried in my neck and her legs around my waist. I hold her against me, and she whispers, “I love you. Thank you for today.” Presley pulls back to look at me, her eyes watery as she gives me a small smile. “But I thought that Valentine's Days are supposed to be spent with each other.”

“We've got all night, Smarty.” I smirk.

She laughs before crashing her lips against mine. Her kiss is urgent, but I have no plans whatsoever to fuck her tonight. I step forward until her body is pressed between a wall and me. Presley moans when I nip her lower lip and slow the kiss down. I want to savor the taste of her and how it feels when her tongue entwines around mine. Every sensation, I want to cherish and treasure as if I'll never experience it again.

I pull Presley's tongue into my mouth, barely grazing my teeth along it and suck on it hard before allowing it to play with mine again. Fuck, I'm getting off course here. With every fiber in my being, I somehow manage to end our kiss. It takes everything in me not to get sucked into those brown eyes and those red lips.

“
Why'd you stop?” Smarty says breathlessly.

“
Because if I didn't, I wouldn't be able to stick to my plan.”

“
There's more?”

Dipping my head to kiss her neck, I whisper against her skin. “So much more.”

She grips the back of my neck, her lips brushing against my ear. “But I only want you, Levi.” After a pause, she adds, “Fuck me.”

Groaning, I softly bite the crook of her neck. “No.”

“What?”

The sound of her shock makes me look at her, that damn pout on her lips begging me to pull it between my teeth and bite down hard. “I'm not fucking you tonight, Presley.” I step away from the wall and let her slide off my body, confusion and something else overtaking her pout turning it into a full blown frown.

Her hands are propped on her hips when she says, “Why not?”

Oh, no. She's hurt by what I said. Quickly, I take her face between my hands, kissing her softly. “Because I'm going to love you instead.” She's still confused. “We're slowing things down. So, no. There will be no fucking, Smarty. Only slow, sweet loving. But I have something for you first.”

I leave her to retrieve the box from the kitchen, returning moments later to where she’s now sitting on the couch. Taking a seat beside her, I give her the box. Her fingers slip underneath the edges to tear the tape, but she glances up at me before she opens it.

“
Okay, you gave me that amazing jersey, so is Sidney Crosby in here waiting for me?”

Chuckling, I shake my head. “Not a chance. Just open it already, Smarty.”

She removes the top and inside is yet another jersey, but this one is a little different than the other.

“
Oh my God, Levi. Is this real? I mean, is it really yours?”

"Of course, it's real, Smarty. I don't know if I'll have that number or not, but it's
mine
for
you
."

I customized the back of the jersey to have 10 and Carr on the back. Then I signed it for her with a message. Just as I'm about to tell her to read it, she says it aloud.

"For when I win the Cup...For you. Forever yours, Levi." Presley pauses and looks up at me, her voice caught in her throat. "I love you more than you know." She leans forward to kiss me, and it takes everything I have to not get swept away in it. Reluctantly, I pull away once more.

"Let's shower, Smarty."

Standing, I hold out my hand. Her smile is wicked and I hope I don't disappoint her. I lead her through her bedroom where she softly gasps. Candles are
everywhere
and give off enough light that I don't have to turn any on, even in the bathroom.

"Levi," Presley starts, but she seems at a loss for words as I turn on the shower.

"No more talking," I tell her once I have faced her again.

She watches me carefully as I smile my cocky, lopsided grin. I grab the neck to my shirt with both hands and pull it up over my head, dropping it to the floor. Her eyes absorb my torso with a sultry fascination, and I can't help but chuckle. My fingers meet at the front of my pants, so I can unbutton and unzip them, pulling them and my boxer briefs off at the same time.

Stepping out of them, I take a step closer to Presley, grabbing her shirt and lifting it up and off. I dip my head to gently kiss her shoulder before kneeling to take off her shoes and then pants. It's my turn to admire her body. I love that she stands there boldly as I look at her. Before I get too worked up and throw the Not Fucking Plan out the window, I reach around her to unclasp her bra, her breasts coming free. I let go of the bra and hook a finger on each side of her panties.

With much more control than I expected, I kiss and nibble down her chest and stomach as I tug down her panties. Presley steps out of them and I step into the shower, waiting for her to follow, which she does. The water rains down on Smarty. I twirl my finger to instruct her to turn all the way around so she will get completely wet. Presley catches on to what we're going to do and tilts her head back to soak her hair as well.

While she does that, I soap up a rag. She's ready now, and her eyes are gleaming. I start with her shoulder, slowly moving across her collarbone to her other shoulder. My eyes leave hers to focus to my task. Suds mark my path as I caress farther down her skin. Slow and gentle have never been my forte, and I'm amazed by how different it is, and how much I
want
to be this way for Presley tonight.

Wordlessly, I lather up every inch of her skin with such a slow pace that one would think every single inch needed my attention. And it does. After Presley rinses off and soaks her hair again, I get to what may be my favorite part. She steps out of the water as I pour the shampoo in the cup of my hand. I rub my hands together and then dive into her hair, massaging her scalp. When Presley lets a small moan slip between her lips, I know why this is my favorite part. Her eyes are closed with her head tilted back, and her eyelashes cast a shadow on her cheeks. Those lips part slightly like what my hands are doing feels so damn good. I hope so because I don't have a damn clue. Other than once before with Presley, I've never washed anyone else's hair. Or body for that matter.

I guide her back under the water and run my fingers through her hair as I rinse all the shampoo out. Then it's my turn. Presley and I switch places and the water pours over me. Smarty smirks as she watches me while lathering up the rag.

"No funny business, Smarty," I tell her. "I mean it," I add when her grin widens.

She shrugs and then starts, running an identical path as I took on her. Unlike on my turn, Presley keeps her eyes mainly on mine. I can't get over how aware I am of the texture of the rag and its path. Might have something to do with the fact that it's in Presley's hand. With hooded eyes, I watch her.

Presley

My day has been a crazy day of emotions. Levi’s jersey is the most amazing thing I’ve seen in a long time. Now, standing here in the shower with him is so incredible. He has touched every inch of body with love and care. Never have I felt so loved or so special.

I stared at him loving because if I didn’t, I’d push him against that shower wall and ride him to the moon. I didn’t want to ruin everything that he has planned for us. I want this to be perfect for him too. I know Valentine’s Day is more of a girl thing, but he went through all this trouble, and I want him to feel special too.

After Levi rinses his hair of shampoo, because I’m short and was having trouble, we get out of the shower. Levi very gently towel dries my body and hair. He pretty much just air dried himself. He wraps the towel around me and leads me to the bedroom. The room is warmly lit from all the candles and smells like the ocean. I love it.

He removes the towel and picks me up, fireman style, and lays me in the center in the bed.

“
Now, you’ll get your real gift.” His cocky grin makes my insides flutter.

“
You’re pretty sure of yourself, Captain Carr,” I quip back at him.

He doesn’t answer me. He just covers my body with his. I can already tell how hard he is as he pushes into my thigh. He kisses me, softly and gently. I run my fingers through his damp hair and down his neck.

He pulls away from my lips and kisses my jaw and down my neck. He swirls his tongue at the base of my neck and heads towards my breasts. A warm sensation overtakes my body as I moan his name.

I feel him smile as he takes my nipple in his mouth. He uses his teeth to pull and nips, but never bites hard. He does the same with my other breast. I can’t breathe from the anticipation of what will come next. He kisses down my stomach and kisses each hip.

“Levi,” I breathe out, as my body tingles under his tongue.

“
Yes?” He kisses my inner thigh.

I can barely breathe through my own sexual fog as I moan his name again. He kisses my other thigh. He licks me and I almost come undone. His tongue knows exactly where to go to drive me to the brink of losing my mind. He pushes two fingers inside of me, and my hips begin to rock against him. He sucks and licks me as my body shakes for him. I’m right there. I’m about to release right then, and I grip his hair, wanting more.

He stops.

He stops when I’m right there on the edge.

I groan. “Levi.”

“
Yes, Smarty?”

“
I need you. I need you inside of me.”

“
I need you too.” He jumps up and grabs a condom on the nightstand and rolls it on. He climbs back over me, and I wrap my legs around him as he enters me.

“
Fuck, Smarty.” His rhythm picks up as he buries his head in the crook of my neck. I say his name over and over. I need more of him in me. I squeeze him tighter, and he bites into me.

My body shakes for him as he pounds me into oblivion. I yell his name with each thrust. I can feel my body building up, wanting more of him.

“Levi,” I yell out breathlessly. He continues, and I love every sensation that is happening to me. I love him. I love the way he makes me feel on the inside and out.

As I release myself on him, he moans out my name and releases inside of me. We lay there trying to catch our breath. The candles dance around the room, and Levi gets up and into goes the bathroom to clean up

“It was supposed to be sweet lovin’,” Levi says as he climbs back into bed when he is finished.

“
It was for me.” I curl up against him.

“
I love you, Smarty.”

I look up at him. “I love you. Thank you so much for today. It’s the best day of my life.”

~ ~ ~

“
Oh, come on. Are you kidding me?” Marley is almost shouting in the mall when I tell her everything that Levi did on Valentine’s Day.

“
Nope.”

“
Well, you’re a lucky girl.”

“
So, what did you and Trevor do? Please leave out the sex parts.”

“
Well then, I guess there is nothing to talk about.” She perks an eyebrow at me.

“
First, eeewww. And second, I’m glad that you two are happy.” I hug her shoulders. Marley and Trevor really do make a great couple, but I don’t want to hear about my twin in the bedroom, at all.

We walk towards the center of the mall, where we are meeting my mother. I’m still unsure why, but she called me last night and asked me to bring Marley along. Levi and I have spent every moment of the weekend thus far in my bed. It wasn’t just the sex we had. It’s the talks. I’m still nervous about the draft and him leaving to go to Pittsburgh. I know in my head that it’s the right thing for him, but my heart is nervous with us being so far apart. Levi told me to trust him, and that it will be fine. I do trust him, and I know that he wouldn’t lie to me.

We see my mother sitting at a coffee bar, drinking an espresso. She’s wearing a pair of dark jeans, a simple blouse and high heels. She looks so young and carefree. That’s something that I haven’t seen from her in a long time. If it wasn’t for her hair and eyes, I’d think it was someone else. She looks up and waves us over. As soon as I’m close to her, she jumps up and hugs me tightly, and then hugs Marley. We both are taken aback.

“
Wow. When was the last time we had a girl’s day, huh?” Mom asks brightly.

“
Um. Never,” Marley answers and I give her a stern look. “What?” She asks me.

“
Okay, so I’m trying to make it sound like I’m not a bad parent.”

“
You’re not a bad parent, Mom.” I have the urge to roll my eyes at her. “But really, what are we doing here?” Mom points to where she was sitting and we follow her to sit down.

“
Okay, so I’ve recently had a revelation about  my life and my love ones.” She reaches over and pats my hand. “Your dad and I are better than ever and I couldn’t be happier.” Her face is beaming with pride. “Then the whole Levi and Valentine’s Day situation brought it all together. I miss my daughter and I want to start anew.”

Tears glass over my eyes as I stare at mother. Words can’t express how much I want this too.

“That’s great,” Marley interrupts. “But what am I doing here?”

Mom rolls her eyes, which is very uncharacteristic. “Really, Marley? You’ve been coming to our house since before you were putting on makeup. You’re my second daughter. I just didn’t gain 45 pounds with you. Now you’re dating my son, so you're stuck.”

All three of us laugh. It’s a great feeling of relaxation and comfort.

“
Okay, Mom, why are we here, for real?”

“
Well, you girls are going on spring break and the weather is becoming warmer. I think it’s time for all three of us to get new wardrobes.”

Marley and I just stare at her.

“Um, Ms. McCarthy that seems like a nice idea, but I can’t afford that.”

“
Mom, I can’t be spending money like that either.”

She laughs at us both. “You aren’t paying for it. I am. I am paying for all three of us. We are going on a shopping spree.”

“Count me in then,” Marley quickly says.

“
Mom-”

She puts up her hand to stop me. “Presley, please. I want to do this. I want all three of us to do this. Please.” My mother is begging me. I can’t believe my ears. I finally give in and nod.

We begin our shopping spree. We hit every single store in the mall. I get an amazing new bikini for spring break and a several new outfits. Marley does the same.

We need a break, so we settle for lunch at the food court. We grab food, drinks, and find a table.

“I’m starved. Didn’t realize spending other people’s money would tire me out,” Marley jokes as she bites into her chicken sandwich. I just shake my head as I dive into my salad.

Mom clears her throat before she says the one thing that makes my stomach turn. “How long have you and Levi been having sex?”

Marley begins choking and I stop mid-bite.

“
Mother.” I quickly swallow my food before it comes back up. “I don’t want to talk to you about this.”

“
I’m just curious. I figured you were still a virgin.”

Marley snorts at my mom’s comment.

“Hey,” I poke her. “I’m not a slut.”

“
Oh, no. I didn’t mean that. I was just a shocked that was all. I mean, I know Trevor is a bit wild, but now he only has eyes for Marley. I’m just curious.” Mom is still staring me down.

“
Talk about their sex life, not mine.” I point at Marley hoping that takes the heat off me.

“
I’ll gladly share anything you want.” Marley sits up straighter ready to answer anything about her sex life. I wish she wasn’t so eager to talk about her sex life.

“
Please, can we change the topic?” I beg with my head in my hands.

“
Fine, but are you both being careful? I’m still too young to be a grandmother.”

I moan in protest and say a silent prayer that a hole will open up and swallow me.

“I know we are. Presley?” Marley turns to me with a small smile on her face. She’s taking a lot of enjoyment at my misery.

“
If I answer this, may we please change the subject?”

Mom nods.

“Yes, we’re being very safe.”

“
Good. Good.” Mom goes back to eating her salad. After a few moments of silence, we discuss school and our futures. Mom is pleased that I have a lot of my life already planned out.

We continue shopping until our feet hurt. After we pack up my car full of the goodies, I drive Marley back to her apartment. I help her unload and then head to my place. I finally make it upstairs with all my bags and into the apartment. I’m actually out of breath when I drop everything in on  the middle of the floor in my living room.

I text Levi, but he doesn’t respond right away. Trevor and he have been working out a lot lately, and I will just let him enjoy ‘guy’ time. After I finally put all my clothes away, I decide that I need to get some studying done. We will be leaving for Pittsburgh in a couple of weeks, and I want to be sure that I’m caught up. Because a couple of weeks after that, will be spring break and I don’t want to think about anything, except Levi and the beach.

I’m deep in thought when I realize my phone is ringing. I see the display and Levi’s smiling face staring at me.

“Were you sleeping?” He asks when I answer.

“
No, just studying.” I sigh.

“
How was your day?”

I begin to tell him all about my day with Mom and Marley. I leave out the sex talk, because I’m embarrassed enough. “Are you coming over, Levi?”

“Oh, Smarty, not tonight. I’m sorry. I have a big lab project due and I need to get back on the workout schedule.”

“
I thought I was your workout schedule?” I pout.

Levi laughs. “Well, it does help. But I do need to get back at it. Oh hey, I did find something out today.”

“What?”

“
The scout from the Penguins contacted me. I told them I would be there with my family and they invited all three of us to their practice.”

“
What?” I shout loudly in the phone.

“
Calm down. It’s just practice.”

“
Will you be with them?”

“
Um, no, Smarty. It’s against the rules. I can only be on the ice if I’m under contract or at a prospect event.”

“
Oh.” I can’t hide that I’m a little disappointed. “Well, at least I can see them practice.”

“
Hey, I need to study and you do too. Call me before you go to bed. I love you.”

“
I will and I love you too.”